IN THE CAN

I won't consider this a masterpiece, but it's still quite an enjoyable album and, in my opinion, better that their debut. Some complain about lack of keyboards... but are they really necessary to make good music (what would you say, then, about "Argus" by the Wishbone Ash?)? The opening title here would deserve five stars: it may remind Yes rendering of "America", but here the band displays a colourful personality, straight and extremely dynamic - and dynamic is an adjective you wouldn't use for many bands inside prog rock. Guitar solos are very tasty and they match perfectly with vocals and the rythm section. "Monday Morning Eyes" has a strange 1960s flare, or al least gives me that impression, while in "Black and White" it's possible to find good numbers, but they do not blend together so well. Finally, "There's no more" begins with the missing riff in Robert Fripp's production, then evolves into another lengthy and a little patchy track, but this time quite surprising in its shifts and featuring an impressive ending. Three stars are, IMO, an overall fair rating for this album.